Spring into 2010 with USU Wellness Classes

Utah State University’s Employee Wellness Program is making it easy to follow up on those resolutions for a healthier new year with a variety of classes and programs, and Caroline Shugart, Employee Wellness coordinator, invites everyone to take advantage of the offerings.

 

A numbers of wellness classes begin the week of Jan. 11, including water aerobics with sessions M-W-F, noon-1 p.m., or M-W, 5-6 p.m. Cost is $35 for those with a USU ID or $45 without. An African Dance class is offered Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., with a cost of $90 with USU ID or $100 without. Yoga with Dennise returns Tuesday and Thursdays from noon-1 p.m., and fees are $120 with a USU ID and $140 without. Offered through the USU Wellness Program, the classes are open to USU employees and their spouses/partners, students and community members. Those interested should sign up at the HPER pool/service desk. For details, email Shugart at caroline.shugart@usu.edu or visit the Web site.

 

The Employee Fitness Club begins the week of Jan. 19 and sessions are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. The class is open to USU employees and their spouse/partner. A $20 class fee includes a t-shirt, Be Well meal and exercise booklet. The class meets in the Employee Wellness Center, HPER 109. Following the first six-week session, a second repeats March 23-April 27.

 

For those who are looking to reduce stress through an artistic outlet, Shugart suggests an Ikebana class (Japanese flower arranging) with instructor Paul Veridian. Sessions on Tuesdays at noon are held Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and March 2. The class is held on Fridays at 5 p.m., Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and March 5. All classes are taught in the University Inn and sessions are open to everyone. Class fee is $20 for one session and includes instruction, fresh flowers and materials. Additional classes with a $7 fee for fresh flowers are also available. For information on this class, contact Veridian at (435) 797-2785 (office) or (508) 688-5511 (cell), loganikebana@gmail.com. Fees for the class should be paid at the Wellness Center, HPER 109.

 

And for those who might have indulged in a few too many holiday goodies, it’s easy to get back on track through a fitness assessment, which Shugart calls fun, safe and confidential. Fitness assessments are available at no charge for USU employees and their spouse/partner and appointments can be conveniently scheduled. As an added bonus, for the first 200 participants receiving a first-time assessment in January and February, there’s a free Be Well meal coupon for the Hub and a free t-shirt.

 

Fitness assessments measure fitness levels and then set specific fitness goals and monitor improvements. An assessment takes approximately 30 minutes and can be scheduled by contacting Dayna Barrett, dayna.barrett@usu.edu, or call 435-797-8519.

 

The Employee Wellness Center, located in HPER 109, is open to all USU employees and their spouse/partner and their children 16 years and older.

 

“Why not work out with your family in a relaxed center right on the USU campus,” Shugart asked. “You might try a personal training to help you get and stay motivated.”

 

Personal trainers are available at in the Wellness Center at no charge to USU benefit-eligible employees and their spouses (based on availability).

 

The USU Employee Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday, 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

 

And in addition to the Wellness Center activities and programs, Shugart reminds everyone that Campus Recreation has a Fun, Fit, Forever Fitness Pass available to everyone. There are options to choose “Any Class, Any Day, Any Time” to accommodate busy schedules. There’s spinning, boot camps, aerobics, yoga and more. The class schedule is available at the Campus Recreation Web site. Students pay $25, employees $45 and community members $99 per semester.

 

Contact: Caroline Shugart, (435) 797-0735, caroline.shugart@usu.edu